Gateway 1 Self-Assessment Summary - Consultation and engagement

Public consultation is essential for the Local Plan to represent the needs of our communities. It must be easy for people to have their say in a way that works for them, so they can influence the way the area develops. By planning this early, we can ensure people are aware in advance and can get involved from the start.

We have prepared a  Draft Local Plan Engagement Strategy - a final version will be published early in October 2026. In line with our IT Strategy and Government advice, we will be using digital engagement methods, but we will also use other methods, including in-person events, to try and reach a wide audience, including seldom heard or under-represented groups.

The Draft Engagement Strategy has been informed by feedback from the Local Plan Scoping Consultation (the ‘Regulation 20’ stage in the new 2026 Local Planning Regulations) which included the following questions:

• Are there other ways we should publicise the public consultations? (Other than the ways we present in our Scoping Consultation document, which include publication on our website, hard copy available at Council offices, notification of the Local Plan database, publicity on social media, local press and the Hart e-newsletter)
   
• What methods of engaging the public (such as drop-in exhibitions) should we use during public consultation? 
   
• Is there a group or community you are aware of that find it harder to participate? If so, what steps could we take to help those groups engage?
   
• How would you like to be engaged with during the preparation of the Local Plan?

Responses were received from 226 organisations and individuals. We will publish a Summary of Scoping Consultation before the next Local Plan consultation in October 2026 which will include a summary of the main issues raised and how we have considered the comments we received.